Cap de Colomers Lake

Cap de Colomers is a high-mountain glacial lake in the municipality of Naut Aran, in the Spanish Pyrenees. It sits within the Circ de Colomèrs, the largest glacial cirque in the entire Pyrenees range, part of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park.

Where exactly is Cap de Colomers?

The lake lies in the Aran Valley, ringed by rocky peaks reaching close to 3,000 metres, including Creu de Colomèrs, Gran Tuc de Colomèrs and Tuc de Ratera. The Colomèrs cirque is a broad glacial basin holding dozens of lakes (estanys) — Cap de Colomers is one of them, sitting in the upper section of the basin.

How do you get to the lake?

Most hikes into the cirque start from the Refugi de Colomèrs mountain hut. The usual approach begins at the Banhs de Tredos car park, about 8 km from Salardú in the Aran Valley, from where a forest track leads to the refuge in roughly 2 hours on foot. Off-road taxis also run part of this stretch, cutting the approach short and dropping hikers closer to the treeline, from where the rest of the walk continues on foot.

What will you see there?

The area around Cap de Colomers is classic high-mountain terrain: bare rock, moraine and still water framed by steep ridgelines. The popular loop around the cirque's lakes covers roughly 12 km and takes about 4 hours 45 minutes on average — a demanding route given the elevation gain and rocky sections. A shorter option, the Circuit Curt de Còlomers, skips the higher ground and follows lower paths around part of the lakes instead.

When is the best time to visit?

The hiking season in this part of the Pyrenees generally runs from June to October — earlier in the year, the higher parts of the cirque can still hold snow and the passes are harder to cross. July and August bring the most stable weather, though afternoon thunderstorms are common at this altitude, so it's worth setting off early in the morning.

Who is this hike suited for?

Given the altitude — the lakes sit above 2,000 metres — and the rocky terrain, a trip to Cap de Colomers suits hikers with some mountain experience and reasonable fitness. The shorter loop variant is accessible to less experienced walkers, while the full seven-lake circuit takes a full day and calls for proper trekking footwear.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a car to reach the lake? Yes, the most practical option is driving or taking a taxi to the Banhs de Tredos car park, where the trail toward the Colomèrs refuge begins.

Can you reach the lake without a long hike? Partly — off-road taxis cover part of the route to the treeline, but the final stretch to the refuge and the lakes themselves has to be walked.

How long does the full loop around the cirque's lakes take? The complete circuit is about 12 km and takes close to 5 hours on average, while the shorter variant can be completed in significantly less time.

Is the route suitable for children? The shorter Circuit Curt variant is gentler and manageable for older children with some mountain experience, but the full loop demands good fitness due to the altitude and terrain.